Matson announces a $1 billion investment in three new vessels to enhance its China-Long Beach Express and Hawaii services, set for delivery from 2027.
American shipping company Matson has advanced its fleet renewal programme with a newbuilding plan totalling approximately $1 billion, encompassing three container vessels scheduled for delivery from 2027 onwards.
On 10 October local time, Matson held a naming ceremony for its first new Aloha Class container ship, Makua, at Hanwha Philadelphia Shipyard in Philadelphia. According to an official announcement released by Matson on 12 October, the vessel is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2027 and will subsequently be deployed on the China-Long Beach Express and Hawaii services.
Matson is one of the United States' principal ocean transportation and logistics service providers, operating services to Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and other markets, as well as an expedited ocean freight service from China to the Port of Long Beach, California. The China-Long Beach Express stands as one of Matson's core transpacific offerings. The newbuilding programme is designed not merely to expand fleet capacity but to replace and renew existing tonnage.
According to Matson's published schedule, the three vessels are set for delivery as follows: the first vessel, Makua, is expected in the first quarter of 2027; the second vessel, Malama, is anticipated in the third quarter of 2027; and the third vessel, Makena, is projected for delivery in the second quarter of 2028.
All three vessels are built in compliance with the requirements of the United States Jones Act, which mandates that cargo transported between U.S. ports be carried on vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-flagged, with crews meeting the requirements of U.S. law. The three new ships will replace three existing vessels currently deployed on Matson's Hawaii and China-Long Beach Express services. Matson has stated that upon entry into service, the new vessels will improve fleet operational efficiency and service reliability while increasing capacity on its core Hawaii routes and the China-Long Beach Express.
The newbuildings belong to Matson's Aloha Class vessel type, measuring approximately 259 metres in length, with a container capacity of 3,600 TEU and a maximum speed of nearly 24 knots. The vessels are equipped with dual-fuel engines capable of operating on conventional marine fuel or liquefied natural gas and will be delivered with LNG fuel-ready capability. Matson has further noted that the vessels will incorporate a fuel-efficient hull design, an eco-friendly double-walled fuel tank system, and a freshwater ballast system.
Matson Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Cox stated that over the next 18 months, as the three new vessels are progressively integrated into the fleet, the company will enhance operational efficiency and reliability while expanding capacity on its core Hawaii routes and the China-Long Beach Express. These investments position Matson to strengthen its long-term competitiveness across its principal trade lanes and reinforce its standing as a leading provider of U.S.-flag ocean transportation services.